BUIES CREEK, N.C. (April 20, 2009) - The No. 30-ranked ETSU men's golf team got off to a slow start during the first round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships Monday at the Keith Hills Country Club's Creek Course.

The Buccaneers fired a first round score of 7-over-par 295 to finish in eighth place out of the 11-team field, 16 strokes off the pace set by host Campbell, which currently leads the event by a comfortable nine strokes over second place North Florida. Second and third round play will continue over the next two days.

Individually, ETSU sophomore Rhys Enoch (Cornwall, England) carded the Bucs' best opening round with a 2-under 70 to finish tied for seventh. Belmont's Scott O'Brien leads the event after firing a 5-under 67, and he holds a two stroke edge over five other players who tied at 69.

Other ETSU results included a tie for 14th by freshman Michael Stewart (Troon, Scotland), who posted an even par 72, while sophomore Paul O'Kane (Castledawson, Northern Ireland) is tied for 34th with a 76. Junior Seamus Power (Waterford, Ireland) tied for 38th after finishing with a 77.

Fans can watch live scoring from the A-Sun Championships via Golfstat.com, while ETSUBucs.com will provide a complete update on the Bucs' play each evening. For more on ETSU men's golf, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men's golf link.